Week in Review, 12/17 to 12/23

Welcome to another edition of SB Week in Review! Here’s all the news you might have missed:

Headlines

This week fans and friends alike remembered the passing of KimJonghyun. The Shiny Foundation — founded by Jonghyun’s mother — also held a memorial on December 17. We at the Seoulbeats family continue to miss him, and send our love.

N.Flying’s Kwon Kwang-jin voluntarily left the group following online accusations of inappropriate behavior with fans. In a statement, FNC asserted that while the accusations of sexual harassment were not true, Kwang-jin did have inappropriate relationships with fans outside of schedules — which is against agency rules. Therefore, he will be stepping down from group while FNC looks further into the online rumors and who circulated them.

The Korea Popular Music Awards were pressured into issuing an apology this week after the 2018 Popularity Award was given to both Wanna One and Exo. While voting margins had been tight between the two groups up until the polls closed, Wanna One technically came in first place. However, KPMA clarified that because the voting was so close, they thought it would be best to award both groups the title. I’m not sure that explanation will be sufficient for fans who paid to vote.

Other big awards went to BTS for album of the year with Love Yourself: Answer, and Twice for song of the year with “Heart Shaker.”

BtoB‘s Minhyuk was the most recent celebrity to be pulled into a #DebtToo scandal. Cube later clarified that Minhyuk reached a settlement with the lenders as soon as he heard about the outstanding debt his father owed.

Two former girl group member interviews made headlines this week:

Minzy spoke to Billboard about the harsh criticism and struggle with depression that she endured during her time with YG Entertainment.

Stellar member Gayeon opened up with Insightabout how The Entertainment Pascal forced the members into a sexy concept with “Marionette” and how the “sexy” image impacted the Stellar members up until disbandment.

Debuts & Comebacks

Sooyoung showed off a new side of her musicality with “Winter Breath.”

Cosmic Girls collaborated with an oddly deep-voiced Micky Mouse for “Good Time.” The track was released as part of Micky Mouse’s 90th birthday world tour celebration. The group’s official winter comeback should come in January.

Seventeen released the MV for “Getting Closer” as a prequel to the You Make My Day series.